Antimicrobial composite filtering material and method for making the same

ABSTRACT

A filter media having lignite-derived activated carbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zinc alloy, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or Luviquat®, which is Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)], combined and used as suitable replacement for TOG bituminous coal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. Functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon interact with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium, iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carbon interact with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy enhances the filter anti-microbiological performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to antimicrobial filters, and primarilyto microporous fluid-permeable, treated fibrous materials, and toprocess for preparing such materials for use in water filtration andpurification.

2. Description of Related Art

Purification or filtration of water is necessary for many applications,including the provision of safe or potable drinking water. Water maycontain many different kinds of contaminants including, for example,particulates, harmful chemicals, and microbiological organisms, such asbacteria, parasites, protozoa, and viruses. In a variety ofcircumstances, these contaminants must be removed before the water canbe used.

There are many well-known methods currently used for water purification,such as distillation, ion-exchange, chemical adsorption, filtering, orretention, which is the physical occlusion of particulates. Particlefiltration may be completed through the use of membranes or layers ofgranular materials, wherein such filtration is generally dictated bypore size.

Prior art filtration systems often attempt to achieve broadmicrobiological interception using filter media with small pore sizes.

Typically, microbiological interception enhancing agents are comprisedof a water-soluble cationic material having a counter ion associatedtherewith at specific sites on the cationic material, in combinationwith a biologically active metal salt, such as silver, wherein thecounter ion associated with the cationic material preferentiallyprecipitates with at least a portion of the cation of the biologicallyactive metal salt, and precipitation of the biologically active metalcation and the counter ion associated with the cationic material occursin proximity to the cationic material.

The microbiological treatment is generally performed by coatingactivated carbon filter particles with a cationic polymer and silver ora silver containing material. Silver prevents bacteria and algae frombuilding up in filters so that filters can do their job to rid drinkingwater of bacteria, chlorine, trihalomethanes, lead, particulates, andodor. Furthermore, silver, in concert with oxygen, acts as a powerfulsanitizer that offers an alternative or an augmentation to otherdisinfectant systems.

Current filter paper media for microbiological reduction generally useand prefer silver treated carbon. However, this is a costly process, andregulation on this type of use for silver is tightening in the industry.Silver is regulated by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NationalSecondary Drinking Water Regulations. Some scientists and environmentalwatchdog groups have cautioned that putting nanosilver to widespread usemay pose risks, and it remains unknown how the effects of chronicexposure to the particles may affect human health or the ecosystem inthe long run. Thus, there remains a need to find alternativeantimicrobial materials that are safe for use and have efficacy at leaston the order of filter media that currently employ silver.

Additionally, public demand for sufficient flow rate of existing paperfilter media is increasing. Filter paper treated for microbiologicalinterception is generally used in gravity-fed applications, where flowrate may be comprised. The need for antimicrobial filter paper that canemploy a silver-substitute microbiological interception agent, andexhibit enhanced flow rate properties remains a desired attribute forwater filtration media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a lower costantimicrobial material for water filtration applications that may beused as an alternative to silver.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lower costantimicrobial material for water filtration applications without usingsilver that has an increased flow rate over silver-based filter media.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a filtermedia that may be formulated from thinner paper, and thus less filtermedia overall, but retains microbiological interception on the order ofcurrent filter media that utilizes silver as an antimicrobial.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to aprocess for the production of a filter media for fluid filtration havingantimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) dilutingpolyacrylic acid in deionized water to form a diluted solution; b)adding lignite-based powdered activated carbon to the diluted solutionand blending to form a blended solution; c) soaking the blendedsolution; d) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillatedfiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and a CoPET/PET polyesterfiber, with the blended solution to form a resultant solution; e)blending the resultant solution; f) forming a paper slurry from theresultant solution; and g) drying the paper slurry to form the filtermedia.

The polyacrylic acid is diluted in deionized water at an approximateratio of 0.5 g-11 g PAA to 1 L of deionized water.

The lignite-based powdered activated carbon is added to the dilutedsolution at a ratio of approximately 0.5 g to 8 g lignite-based powderedactivated carbon to about 1 L of diluted solution.

The lignite-based powdered activated carbon is blended with the dilutedsolution for approximately 3 minutes.

The process of claim 1 wherein the copper-zinc alloy is added to theblended solution at a ratio of 0.5 to 2 g of the copper-zinc alloy per 1square foot of fabricated filter paper.

The wet cellulose fibrillated fiber is added to the combined solution atan approximate ratio of 14 g to 60 g wet cellulose fibrillated fiber per1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.

The wet cellulose fibrillated fiber may be treated with a firstflocculating agent.

The heavy metal removal powder (HMRP) adsorbent is combined with theblended solution at an approximate ratio of 0.6 g HMRP per 1 square footof fabricated filter paper.

The process may further include adding a second flocculating agent, andthe second flocculating agent may be added in a ratio of approximately0.4 g-20 g of the second flocculating agent per 1 square foot offabricated filter paper.

The process includes adding CoPET/PET polyester fiber at a ratio ofapproximately 1 g of the CoPET/PET polyester fiber per 1 square foot offabricated filter paper.

In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a process forthe production of a filter media for fluid filtration havingantimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) addinglignite-based powdered activated carbon to one liter of deionized waterand blending to form a blended solution; b) soaking the blendedsolution; c) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillatedfiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and a CoPET/PET polyesterfiber, with the blended solution to form a resultant solution; d)blending the resultant solution; e) forming a paper slurry from theresultant solution; and f) drying the paper slurry to form the filtermedia.

The wet cellulose fibrillated fiber is then treated with a firstflocculating agent, wherein the first flocculating agent is PolyDADMACor Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)].

In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a process forthe production of a filter media for fluid filtration havingantimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) diluting cellulosenanocrystals in deionized water to form a diluted solution; b) addinglignite-based powdered activated carbon or carbon having highmeso/macropores and functional negatively charged surface groups to thediluted solution and blending to form a blended solution; c) soaking theblended solution; d) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulosefibrillated fiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and aCoPET/PET polyester fiber, with the blended solution to form a resultantsolution; e) blending the resultant solution; f) forming a paper slurryfrom the resultant solution; and g) drying the paper slurry to form thefilter media.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is directed to anantimicrobial filter paper comprising: diluted polyacrylic acid or othernegatively charged materials; a lignite-based powdered activated carbonor other materials with high ratio meso/macropores and negativelycharged surface chemistry; a copper-zinc alloy; a wet cellulosefibrillated fiber; a first flocculating agent; a heavy metal removalpowder adsorbent, and a binder, such as a CoPET/PET polyester fiber.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to a filter mediafor fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising: apolyacrylic acid; a lignite-based powdered activated carbon; acopper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber; a heavy metalremoval powder adsorbent; and a binder material.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention is directed to a filter mediafor fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising:cellulose nanocrystals; lignite-based powdered activated carbon orcarbon having high meso/macropores and functional negatively chargedsurface groups; a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillatedfiber; a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent; and a binder material,wherein the binder material includes a CoPET/PET polyester fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elementscharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and arenot drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as toorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a table of the performance of the filter media papersmade to the specifications of process of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention for different test Solutions #1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 2 depicts a table delineating the results of the pilot productionrun for samples produced from the process of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a graphical representation comparing the flow ratebetween the benchmark (A1A3) sample and the sample with Luviquat®(LVH1042) in lieu of POLYDADMAC;

FIG. 4 depicts the microbiological performance of the filter media whenPAA is substituted with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC);

FIG. 5 depicts the microbiological performance of the filter media whenPAA is substituted with lignite carbon with nitric acid treated coconutcarbon; and

FIG. 6 depicts the microbiological performance of filter media havinglignite carbon replaced with coconut-based, wood-based, and coal-basedcarbon, made with a paper weight of approximately 13 g.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention,reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings in which likenumerals refer to like features of the invention.

In the present invention, the synergy of lignite-derived activatedcarbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zincalloy (such as KDF® of KDF Fluid Treatment, Inc., of Three Rivers,Mich.), and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or aquaternized copolymer such as Luviquat® of BASF SE, which isPoly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)],may be used to replace the current combination of TOG bituminouscoal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. In this manner, theneed for silver is eliminated from the filter media, but themicrobiological interception is retained.

A copper-zinc alloy process media is used in place of, or in conjunctionwith, granular activated carbon filters, carbon block, or inlinefilters. It can be used to replace silver-impregnated systems. This ispreferred since silver is toxic and must be registered with the EPA as atoxic pesticide, whereas a copper-zinc alloy process media is not toxic,and need not be registered. Silver is also more expensive, so thereremains a cost benefit for using copper-zinc alloy.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention represents a newformulation for an antimicrobial filter paper media, which allows forthinner layers, and thus less media. This enhances flow rate whilelowering the cost of the final article. This novel formulation iscapable of reaching or exceeding the microbiological interceptioncapabilities of previous prior art formulations.

Essentially, a preferred embodiment of the present invention employs andutilizes the functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon tointeract with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium,iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carboninteract with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. Second, thecarbon also has larger pores, e.g., more mesopore/macropores, and moreacidic groups, e.g., carboxylic acidic groups, which will help to holdthe PolyDADMAC.

The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy, such as for exampleKDF®, has been found to enhance the filter anti-microbiologicalperformance without having to employ silver as the antimicrobialmaterial. The copper or zinc will also interact with the poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone) segments in Luviquat® to further anchor thepositively charged polymer.

The preparation of filter paper that does not employ silver as theantimicrobial material is described below. Three different solutionsfrom which filter paper was manufactured were generated and tested todetermine the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In three of four solutions, polyacrylic acid is diluted in one (1) literof deionized water. The PAA may be, for example, Acumer® 1510 from DowChemical at 25% weight, or other equivalent. Each solution (Solutions#1, #2, & #3) contains a different amount of PAA diluted. Solution #0has no PAA; Solution #1 has approximately 0.5 g of PAA diluted; Solution#2 has approximately 2.0 g of PAA diluted; and Solution #3 hasapproximately 11.0 g of PAA diluted.

Next, approximately 8.1 g of lignite-based powdered activated carbon,such as Hydrodarco® B from Cabot Corporation of Alpharetta, Ga., orother equivalent, is added to the above solutions and blended for aboutthree (3) minutes. Hydrodarco® B is a lignite-based powdered activatedcarbon produced by steam activation of lignite coal, preferably finelymilled to obtain a high degree of suspension with a high capacity foradsorption of organics that would otherwise cause taste and odorproblems in drinking water supplies. The three blended solutions arethen soaked overnight.

Next, a copper-zinc alloy is added. Preferably, approximately 2 g of acopper-zinc alloy, such as KDF-55F extra fine (−325 mesh) from KDF FluidTreatment, or equivalent, is added. The copper-zinc alloy acts inreplacement of silver as the antimicrobial in the filter paper.

Next, approximately 0.63 g of an adsorbent such as a heavy metal removalpowder (HMRP) is added to each solution. A preferred HMRP is Metsorb®HMRP of Graver Technologies, LLC, of Glasgow, Del. MetSorb® HMRPadsorbent is a free-flowing powder designed for incorporation intopressed or extruded carbon blocks. The addition of MetSorb® HMRP atrelatively low levels to a carbon block design is very effective for thereduction of lead, and at higher HMRP usage levels effective forreduction of arsenic, to meet the requirements of NSF Standard 42.MetSorb® HMRP adsorbs not only cationic lead species, but also bothforms of Arsenic: Arsenic III and Arsenic V, present as (neutral)arsenite and (anionic) arsenate respectively. HMRP will also reduce awide range of other metal contaminants commonly present in drinkingwater or process water, and is effective in polishing low levels ofmetal contaminants from industrial waste streams.

The resultant solutions are then independently combined with thefollowing:

-   -   a) Approximately 13.86 g of a treated, wet cellulose fibrillated        fiber (CSFO). The treatment is preferably with flocculating        agents. Flocculants are used in water treatment to improve the        sedimentation or filterability of small particles. One such        flocculant is Floquat® of S.N.F.S.A. of Saint-Etienne of France;    -   b) Approximately 1.26 g of a low melting CoPET/PET polyester        fiber, such as, for example, N720 fibers of Engineered Fibers        Technology of Shelton, Conn., or equivalent; and    -   c) Approximately 8.0 g, 8.0 g, 6.0 g, and 20.0 g to Solutions        #0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, of a second flocculating agent,        preferably Floquat® FL4440 (40% weight) of S.N.F.S.A.

Each resultant solution is then blended for three (3) minutes.

A paper slurry of each solution is formed in a Deckle Box on spun-boundpolyester, such as Reemay® of Fiberweb, LLC, of Wilmington, Del., orequivalent, and dried at about 250° F. for about thirty (30) minutes toobtain approximately 12″×12″ paper sheets.

The resultant paper weight of each solution without the spun-boundpolyester are on the order of about 10.92 g, 12.7 g, 14.6 g, and 18.0 grespectively.

FIG. 1 depicts a table of the performance of the papers made to thespecifications of Solutions #0, 1, 2, and 3 above, having different PAAamounts and different amounts of the second flocculating agent, in agravity flow environment, against different pathogens (MS-2bacteriophage and E. coli). The log removal values (LRV) of thepathogens were compared. The log removal value is the logarithm of theratio of pathogen concentration in the influent and effluent water of atreatment process. (An LRV of 1 is equivalent to about a 90% removal ofa target pathogen, an LRV of 2 is equivalent to about a 99% removal, andan LRV of 3 is equivalent to about 99.9% removal.) In FIG. 1, the foursolutions are designated by the following labels: Solution #0 is namedLGKDF0, Solution #1 is named LGKDF1, Solution #2 is named LGKDF2, andSolution #3 is named LGKDF3.

To acquire the testing results depicted in FIG. 1, samples of two 3″×5″patches were cut from each of the different paper sheets of filter mediaformed from the three solutions developed by the process describedabove. The 3″×5″ patches were then wrapped on a plastic cylindrical coreof about three (3) inches in length, and properly glued using normalbinding techniques known in the art to obtain three differenttwo-layered filters. The cylindrical filters were then secured/sealed(preferably glued) onto openings at the bottom of 1 gallon capacitybuckets. Each filter was challenged with a mixture of approximately 10⁶cfu/ml (colony forming unit per milliliter) of E. coli and 10⁶ cfu/ml ofMS-2 bacteriophage, in one gallon of dechlorinated city water.

Gravity acted as the driving pressure in this test environment. The flowrates and pH of the influents and effluents were checked daily until thefilter flow rate reduces to about zero, and the filters clogged. Samplesfrom the influents and effluents were collected and cultured daily. Thedetailed antimicrobial experiments of E. coli and MS-2 reduction of eachgravity filter were performed, and the results summarized in the tableof FIG. 1. As noted in FIG. 1, the filters having increased PAA cloggedearlier. For the LGKDF0 sample, the filter had some failure on bacteriareduction though it exhibited a higher flow rate. For the LGKDF1 filter,the performance exceeded that of the other two filter samples.

The samples from Solutions #2 and 3 (LGKDF2 and LGKDF3) clogged sooner.The latter being unable to achieve sufficient flow at the onset. The logremoval rate of LGKDF1 and LGKDF2 exceeded that of the LGKDF0 sample asshown for flow rates up to and including 9 mL/min. The log removal rateof LGKDF1 was on the order of LGKDF2 up to 9 mL/min; however, the addedfiltering material presented a lower flow rate for the filter mediaoption.

A pilot production run of filter media utilizing the same formulationprocess above was also conducted. Two samples were generated having apaper weight of about 9 g and 12 g. These samples were designated R276-9and R276-12, respectively. These samples were compared against abenchmark (A1A3). The flow rates of both samples were significantlybetter than A1A3 and the log removal rates were better or at leastcomparable in all instances.

The similar procedure is performed with the replacement of POLYDADMACwith Luviquat® polymer of BASF Corporation of Florham Park, N.J., madewith a paper weight of approximately 13 g, and identified as test sampleLVH1042. The comparison of flow rate between the benchmark A1A3 and thesample with Luviquat® (LVH1042) is depicted in FIG. 3. The Luviquatsample had significantly better flow rate.

It is noted that the flow rate of the test samples may be increased byreducing the thickness of paper without any appreciable degradation inantimicrobial performance.

FIG. 2 depicts a table delineating the results of the pilot productionrun for samples R276-9 and R276-12. R276-12 exhibited greater logremoval values per current gallon influent; however, the flow rate wasappreciably less than R276-9. That is, as one would expect, when thethickness of the paper is reduced, the flow rate increases. R276-9achieved significant flow rate increases across the spectrum of currentgallon influent over the prior art test sample A1A3 while maintaining orexceeding the prior art's log removal values for MS-2 and E. coli.

A similar procedure is performed with the replacement of PAA withcellulose nanocrystals (CNC) obtained as an 11.6% solution, made with apaper weight of approximately 12 g, and identified as test sampleKDFCNC57. CNC are whiskers with a length of several hundred nanometersand a diameter of several nanometers. Their surface area is abouthundreds square meters per gram. Due to their production process andtheir nature, the CNC has lots of negatively charged functional groups,such as carboxylic acidic groups and sulfonic acidic groups on theirsurface. Therefore, they can be used to substitute the PAA. Its MBperformance is depicted in FIG. 4. The paper worked up to 10 gallonschallenge with an excellent flow rate.

The similar procedure is performed with the replacement of lignitecarbon with nitric acid treated coconut carbon, made with a paper weightof approximately 10 g, and identified as test sample KDF20. Themicrobiological performance is depicted in FIG. 5. The paper has a veryhigh zeta potential, 23 mV at pH of 6.1.

Different types of carbon have different pores, surface chemistry, etc.The similar procedure is performed with the replacement of lignitecarbon with coconut-based, wood-based and coal-based carbon, made with apaper weight of approximately 13 g, and identified as test samplescoconut-based, wood-based and coal-based carbon. The microbiologicalperformance is depicted in FIG. 6. The R276-9 g was a pilot run of thelignite-based carbon. For all non-lignite carbon, only 4 log bacteriareduction was observed, while greater than 4 log virus reduction wasobserved for all the data points in FIG. 6.

A filter cartridge having filter media formed from the above-identifiedprocess represents another embodiment of the present invention. Thefilter cartridge is generally fabricated for use in gravity-flowapplications and includes an input or ingress port for receivingunfiltered fluid, and an output or egress port for exiting filteredfluid. The filter media is enclosed within a sump of the filtercartridge. The filter media within the filter cartridge may be pleatedfor increased surface area, which also minimizes the pressure dropacross the filter media.

While the present invention has been particularly described, inconjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It istherefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any suchalternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A process for the production of a filter media for fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) diluting polyacrylic acid in deionized water to form a diluted solution; b) adding lignite-based powdered activated carbon to said diluted solution and blending to form a blended solution; c) soaking said blended solution; d) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and a CoPET/PET polyester fiber, with said blended solution to form a resultant solution; e) blending said resultant solution; f) forming a paper slurry from said resultant solution; and g) drying said paper slurry to form said filter media.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said polyacrylic acid is diluted in deionized water at an approximate ratio of 0.5 g-11 g PAA to 1 L of deionized water.
 3. The process of claim 1 wherein said lignite-based powdered activated carbon is added to said diluted solution at a ratio of approximately 0.5 g to 8 g lignite-based powdered activated carbon to about 1 L of diluted solution.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said lignite-based powdered activated carbon is blended with said diluted solution for approximately 3 minutes.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said copper-zinc alloy is added to said blended solution at a ratio of 0.5 to 2 g of said copper-zinc alloy per 1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein said wet cellulose fibrillated fiber is added to said combined solution at an approximate ratio of 14 g to 60 g wet cellulose fibrillated fiber per 1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.
 7. The process of claim 1 including treating said wet cellulose fibrillated fiber with a first flocculating agent.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein said heavy metal removal powder (HMRP) adsorbent is combined with said blended solution at an approximate ratio of 0.6 g HMRP per 1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.
 9. The process of claim 7 wherein said first flocculating agent is added to said wet cellulose fibrillated fiber.
 10. The process of claim 7 including adding a second flocculating agent.
 11. The process of claim 10 wherein said second flocculating agent is added in a ratio of approximately 0.4 g-20 g of said second flocculating agent per 1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.
 12. The process of claim 1 including forming said paper slurry on spun-bound polyester, and dried at about 250° F. for about thirty (30) minutes.
 13. The process of claim 1 wherein said CoPET/PET polyester fiber is added at a ratio of approximately 1 g of said CoPET/PET polyester fiber per 1 square foot of fabricated filter paper.
 14. A process for the production of a filter media for fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) adding lignite-based powdered activated carbon to one liter of deionized water and blending to form a blended solution; b) soaking said blended solution; c) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and a CoPET/PET polyester fiber, with said blended solution to form a resultant solution; d) blending said resultant solution; e) forming a paper slurry from said resultant solution; and f) drying said paper slurry to form said filter media.
 15. The process of claim 14 including treating said wet cellulose fibrillated fiber with a first flocculating agent.
 16. The process of claim 15 wherein said first flocculating agent is PolyDADMAC or Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)].
 17. The process of claim 15 including adding a second flocculating agent.
 18. A process for the production of a filter media for fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising the steps of: a) diluting cellulose nanocrystals in deionized water to form a diluted solution; b) adding lignite-based powdered activated carbon or carbon having high meso/macropores and functional negatively charged surface groups to said diluted solution and blending to form a blended solution; c) soaking said blended solution; d) mixing a copper-zinc alloy with wet cellulose fibrillated fiber, a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent, and a binder, with said blended solution to form a resultant solution; e) blending said resultant solution; f) forming a paper slurry from said resultant solution; and g) drying said paper slurry to form said filter media.
 19. The process of claim 18 wherein said binder includes a CoPET/PET polyester fiber.
 20. An antimicrobial filter paper comprising: diluted polyacrylic acid or other negatively charged materials; a lignite-based powdered activated carbon or other materials with high ratio meso/macropores and negatively charged surface chemistry; a copper-zinc alloy; a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber; a first flocculating agent; a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent; and a binder.
 21. The antimicrobial filter paper of claim 20 wherein said binder comprises CoPET/PET polyester fiber.
 22. A filter media for fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising: a polyacrylic acid; a lignite-based powdered activated carbon; a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber; a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent; and a binder material.
 23. The filter media of claim 22 wherein said binder material comprises CoPET/PET polyester fiber.
 24. A filter media for fluid filtration having antimicrobial properties comprising: cellulose nanocrystals; lignite-based powdered activated carbon or carbon having high meso/macropores and functional negatively charged surface groups; a copper-zinc alloy with a wet cellulose fibrillated fiber; a heavy metal removal powder adsorbent; and a binder material.
 25. The filter media of claim 24 wherein said binder material comprises CoPET/PET polyester fiber. 